I Said No! A Resource to Protect Children from Sexual Abuse

Guest Blogger, Kimberly King 

It is imperative that we start talking about sex education and sexual abuse prevention more seriously. It is an essential tool for prevention. Helping kids set healthy boundaries for their private parts can be a daunting and awkward task for parents, counselors, and educators.

Written from a kid’s point of view, I Said No! makes this task a lot easier. To help Zack cope with a real-life experience he had with a “friend,” he and his mom wrote a book to help prepare other kids to deal with a range of problematic situations. I Said No! uses kid-friendly language and illustrations to help parents and concerned adults give kids guidance they can understand, practice, and use.

• One of a kind, unique book created for kids and shared in a kids voice
• Told from a child’s perspective, based on a real-life kid story
• Full of real-life kid scenarios that your child may encounter
• Presented in kid language that provides comfort on a tough topic
• Using a simple, direct, decidedly “non-icky” approach that doesn’t dumb down the issues involved, as well as an easy-to-use system to help kids rehearse and remember appropriate responses to help keep them safe.
• How and where to go for help, and what to do if the people you’re turning to for help don’t listen
• Dealing with feelings of guilt and shame
• The body boundaries and rules about private parts
• How to use colors to identify feelings and listen to them
• Guided “what if? Scenario training for kids and parents to rehearse
• Developing a family safety plan
• Practicing the Think, Say, Do plan
• How to handle the new online threat of pornography and dangerous people
• How to identify red flag situations, feelings, and people. A solid education on healthy sexual development paired with sexual abuse prevention strategies will prepare your children as the develop and grow. Utilizing techniques to avoid dangerous situations, implement safety plans, and understanding body boundaries and concepts will serve both boys and girls in a positive way.

The facts are astounding.

It is highly likely that you know a child who has been or is being abused.

1.     Experts estimate that 1 in 10 children are sexually abused before their 18th birthday.

2.     30% of children are abused by family members.

3.     As many as 60% are abused by people the family trusts.

4.     About 35% of victims are 11 years old or younger.

5.     Nearly 40% are abused by older or larger children.

Stranger danger is a MYTH

Research shows that the greatest risk to children doesn’t come from strangers, but from friends and family. People who abuse children look and act just like everyone else. In fact, they often go out of their way to appear trustworthy, seeking out settings where they can gain easy access to children, such as sports leagues, faith centers, clubs, and schools.

About the Author:

Kimberly King left her traditional job as a kindergarten teacher to write books for children on difficult and often emotional topics. Kimberly King is a child-development professional, certified early-childhood educator, and darkness2light.org sexual abuse prevention Stewards of Children facilitator. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in early childhood development and family studies from the University of Maine and a Master of Science degree in early childhood education. She is the author of, I Said No!, the best-selling children’s book about sexual-abuse prevention. King is the author of three kid-to-kid guides:

• When Your Parents Divorce,” a kid-to-kid guide to dealing with divorce
• Finding Your Fit, a kid to kid guide to fitness, food, and feelings
• I Said No! A kid-to-kid guide to keeping your private parts private

King lives with her family in Connecticut and is available for media trainings, interviews, school visits, and author signings.

We will be giving away a free copy to one lucky winner. Choose one or more ways to enter:

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When Your Parents Divorce